Wildlife Tourism Conference 2015 - Geelong

Wildlife and nature are two of the biggest drawcards for tourism in Australia.Interest in genuine wildlife tours is expanding rapidly.

But how are the wildlife, the environment and the industry coping with the increased demand for high quality natural experiences?

Can other countries show us the best way to enjoy and protect our unique wildlife resource?

Can other countries learn from us?

How do we define the benefits of wildlife tourism to regional communities?

How do we ensure that wildlife tourism present and future truly benefits biodiversity and local communities?

These are the big questions this conference will address.

We need your help to make this happen so we can make the world a better place for people and for wildlife. Wildlife tourism is an important aspect of tourism, often offering experiences unique to the area visited (in a way that hotel rooms, massage etc., no matter how good, cannot usually provide). It includes viewing birds, whales, butterflies, kangaroos and other wildlife behaving naturally in their own habitats in the wild, well-run captive situations with native and other animals, and other wildlife experiences that can grab the imagination of all tourists or appeal to the specialist. It has the potential to provide employment in regional areas, stimulate local economies by encouraging tourists to spend an extra night (or week ), and support conservation by restoring or protecting habitat, breeding rare species, contributing financially or practically to conservation and research projects, or providing quality public education.